PlayStation 3

You like raw power. You love playing the hottest looking games on the most powerful system out there, and you can't imagine watching a movie that isn't on Blu-ray. That's why you bought a PlayStation 3 in the first place, and that's why you're here.

PS3 controller alternatives

It just hit me today, that while I have always followed the keyboard and mouse market and more recently the Xbox 360 gamepad market... the third party offerings for PS3 don't seem to make themselves very well known.

Does anyone happen to know of any solid third-party controllers that have been released for PS3?

I've since done some research and found a few options - but to answer your question, third party means anyone besides the parent group of whatever the topic at hand is. In this instance that would be Sony, as the manufactures of the PS3 - so anything besides Sony products.

I found the A-POWER Pro Elite and upcoming Batarang controllers to be interesting, as well as the Nyko Raven. Still unsure if I'll be purchasing any however. Despite the fact that the controller is a bit too small for me, the sticks really are amazingly responsive and awesome. I wish the 360 sticks were tensioned exactly like the Dual Shock...

The thing about the Sony sticks, even dating back to the PS2, the tension is uniform across the entire plane of movement - or as close as it could possibly be. The 360 stick requires a bit more force to get it off it's zeroed position, and for me and my twitchy thumbs, that often results in over-aiming.

And as much as I love the Onza for all the things it did right, I am having a heck of a time getting past my muscle memory of the standard controllers :/

I'm fine with the sticks on the xbox, but I hate everything else about it. The only thing I'm uncomfortable with is the trigger, I'm used to it being R1, not RT(our R2). Which is why I needed to change settings in Borderlands. But the sticks on the PS3 are loose, which let me just aim at someone right away.

I think your best bet for a controller would be the normal DualShock 3 Controller. I love it just because its perfect for me. But there arent much off brand ones that you can get, you could get the MLG PS3 Controller and you can have the Xbox Sticks or Dpad and or anything you want. Its custom made to fit your needs, and you make the customization's yourself.

Alternate 3rd party gaming controllers other tahn PS3 controller

What you need to know:

There
is nothing wrong with the stock controller offered for both 360 and PS3
as they do their jobs quite well, especially if you like having a
wireless controller. Keep in mind that a lot of the fully featured third
party controllers are all wired, so if that's a concern you may want to
stick with your stock controller. There are gripes to be had with them
though, d-pads being the prime example. As you make your way up the
controller food chain there are definitely more features to be had.
Unlike some peripherals, most of these features are actually useful,
such as upgraded d-pads and interchangeable components. Controllers are
an easy upgrade to make for yourself or even as a gift to a fellow
gamer.

Logitechs PS3 controller is a lot better in the thumbsticks dept.

It doesnt have motion control but it has rumble.

There is nothing wrong with the
stock controller offered for both 360 and PS3 as they do their jobs
quite well, especially if you like having a wireless controller. Keep in
mind that a lot of the fully featured third party controllers are all
wired, so if that's a concern you may want to stick with your stock
controller. There are gripes to be had with them though, d-pads being
the prime example. As you make your way up the controller food chain
there are definitely more features to be had. Unlike some peripherals,
most of these features are actually useful, such as upgraded d-pads and
interchangeable components.

Budget: Razer Onza Tournament Edition $49.99

The
Razer Onza Tournament Edition is well worth the investment considering
it only costs $10 more than a stock wired Microsoft controller. Have you
ever wished that a certain button was in a different place, but
couldn't change it because it would change every other button?

The
additional fully programmable buttons are the most noteworthy feature of
this Onza. Instead of attempting to reach for the A button and right
trigger simultaneously, you can map the crouch button to the
programmable button (next to the right trigger), making it much easier
to, say, drop to the prone position while shooting people in Black Ops
II. Also, if your analog sticks feel too loose or too stiff, the Onza's
adjustable sticks allow you to fine tune your controller exactly to your
specifications. If $49.99 is still too much, there is a standard Onza
available for $39.99 without the adjustable analog sticks and backlit
buttons.